Four cats belonging to a single family in Telford have been killed by a suspected deliberate act of poisoning, the RSPCA warned today.

It is believed they were fed either antifreeze or rat poison in the latest attack of its kind.

The RSPCA today launched an investigation and said it would prosecute anyone responsible for poisoning animals.

Owner Mark Selley, from Telford, said he took the cats to the vets after noticing they were behaving strangely but was told there was nothing that could be done to save them.

Mr Selley, of Butchery Grove in Oakengates, said the four cats, Chester, 12, Arthur, 10, Amy, nine, and 12-month-old Betsy, were part of the family and he and wife Elaine, 60, had been left devastated.

“We first noticed there was something wrong when they came in for their tea on Sunday,” Mr Selley said.

“All of a sudden they started staggering all over the place, like they had been on the beer.

“It just got worse from there, it was horrendous having to watch them. As the day went on it got worse and when they started having seizures we knew we had to get them to the vets, but sadly it was too late.

“The vet said they had been poisoned by either antifreeze or rat poison.”

Poisoning cats is a criminal offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The maximum penalty for anyone found guilty is up to six months in prison or a fine up to a maximum of £20,000.

Mark Selley, who works for Forbo in Halesfield, said that all cat owners should take extra care during the winter months, when the use of antifreeze increases.

The 52-year-old said: “We are devastated, they were part of the family. You hope that there isn’t someone out there doing this deliberately, but I would urge people around here to keep a close eye on their cats just in case.”

It is not the first time families have lost cats as a result of poisoning in Shropshire. Back in 2012, police and RSPCA officials launched an investigation after eight cats were found dead in Shrewsbury in just two weeks. And in the same year, seven cats died in Telford over a similar two-week period after being poisoned with antifreeze.

More on this story

A warning was issued by the RSPCA at the time to residents not to add the chemical to water features or ponds. It was feared pets could be drinking the water.

RSPCA inspector Chris Dunbar said at the time: “The charity hopes that by warning the public of the animals’ unexpected deaths it may serve as a warning to other cat owners to report anything suspicious.

“People should not put antifreeze in water features in gardens as it can have devastating consequences for cats and other wild animals. If using antifreeze in the car the public are asked to please clean it up if any is spilled and to ensure that it is stored safely and securely.

“If you suspect that your cat has been poisoned you must take it to a vet immediately. If possible, you should take a sample of what the cat has consumed, or the container.”

Anyone who suspects an animal has been intentionally poisoned should call the RSPCA on 0300 123 4999.

Organisers of The Family Pet Show expected to be inundated with traditional pet cats and dogs – but they might have been surprised to find a large number of chickens, donkeys, lizards and parrots in attendance with their owners.

More than 10,000 animal lovers descended on Event City this weekend to an event which showcased Manchester’s weird and wonderful taste in pets.

Organisers of The Family Pet Show expected to be inundated with traditional pet cats and dogs – but they might have been surprised to find a large number of chickens, donkeys, lizards and parrots in attendance with their owners.

The exhibition’s director Carrie Mosley told the M.E.N: “I don’t think there isn’t a type of animal that isn’t here.”

And she added the weekend had been a ‘roaring success’ with thousands of families turning up.

Organisers of The Family Pet Show expected to be inundated with traditional pet cats and dogs – but they might have been surprised to find a large number of chickens, donkeys, lizards and parrots in attendance with their owners.

More than 10,000 animal lovers descended on Event City this weekend to an event which showcased Manchester’s weird and wonderful taste in pets.

Organisers of The Family Pet Show expected to be inundated with traditional pet cats and dogs – but they might have been surprised to find a large number of chickens, donkeys, lizards and parrots in attendance with their owners.

The exhibition’s director Carrie Mosley told the M.E.N: “I don’t think there isn’t a type of animal that isn’t here.”

And she added the weekend had been a ‘roaring success’ with thousands of families turning up.

PLEASANTON, Calif., Oct. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Maddie’s Fund® today announced the final number of adoptions made at their 2014 Maddie’s® Pet Adoption Days event. An unparalleled 16,665 dogs and cats found homes during the nation’s largest free pet adoption event, sponsored by Maddie’s Fund. This represents a 98% increase over last year’s 8,432 adoptions for this two-day event. Maddie’s Fund originally set aside $10 million to underwrite the adoptions managed by participating organizations this year, however, the total donation awarded to groups for qualifying adoptions this year was actually $13.3 million.

In its fifth year, Maddie’s® Pet Adoption Days spanned 591 cities in nine states across the U.S. More than 200 shelters and rescue groups worked enthusiastically over the two days to give homeless pets a second chance. Communities throughout the country were buzzing with adoption events, and many locations had people lined up hours before their doors opened.

“We’ve made lifesaving history!” said Maddie’s Fund president Rich Avanzino. “We are so honored to partner with all of the shelters, rescue groups and adopters who were there for homeless animals when they most needed help. This dedication to shelter pets is inspiring. For me, they are the true heroes.”

Inspired by one family’s love for a Miniature Schnauzer, Maddie’s® Pet Adoption Days has found homes for more than 30,000 homeless dogs and cats since 2010. For each pet adopted, Maddie’s Fund gives participating shelters from $500 to $2,000 to cover the true costs of those adoptions. This funding enables shelters and rescue groups to save and treat more animals throughout the year with a total of $24.7 million in funding going to these groups over the past five years.

“It’s an incredible feeling when you see entire communities come together to find shelter pets families of their own. Watching people fall in love with those pets, the shelter pets going home with their new families, and seeing the staff and volunteers celebrating… it’s overwhelming. Cheryl and I see the spirit of Maddie at every adoption location we visit,” said Maddie’s Fund founder Dave Duffield. “This event demonstrates that we are all, collaboratively, making the world a better place. And there’s nothing better than being part of that.”

Maddie was a beloved four-legged family member of Dave Duffield, founder of Workday® and PeopleSoft, and his wife, Cheryl. For the last five years, Maddie’s Fund, their family foundation, has sponsored Maddie’s® Pet Adoption Days to honor her memory.

About Maddie’s FundMaddie’s Fund® is a family foundation endowed by the founder of Workday® and PeopleSoft, Dave Duffield and his wife, Cheryl. Maddie’s Fund, whose mission is to revolutionize the status and well-being of companion animals, is helping to achieve and sustain a no-kill nation by providing solutions to the most challenging issues facing the animal welfare community through grant giving, hands-on animal care, and research and education. Maddie’s Fund is named after the family’s beloved Miniature Schnauzer who passed away in 1997. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram

We are all familar with the old saying “Home is where the heart is.” For many of us, the “heart” in our homes comes from our four-legged friends. This weekend, pet lovers of all ages will flock to the Connecticut Convention Center for the 23rd annual two-day CT Pet Show & TICA Cat Show.

Dennis Jenks, the president of Jenks Productions, describes the pet show as “one of the most attended shows of the year,” but says it’s also a difficult show to put together, having to make sure there’s something appealing to every age group.

“Most of the people who come to a pet show want to see dogs and cats,” Jenks says. The South Windsor Kennel Club has a display of American Kennel Club dogs of a wide variety of breeds, and the International Cat Association has a full juried cat show as well, with hundreds of cats.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Jenks says. “Everyone goes away with a big smile on their face. We go through a lot of effort to make sure there are many things going on at the show,” he says.

The East Hartford Police and Connecticut Police Work Dog Association K9 Demo is a yearly crowd favorite, Jenks says. “Last year they had a cop car in the show, and pretend bad guys showing the commands,” he says. “When you’re looking at it, you don’t want to mess with one of those police dogs.” The K9 Demonstration happens twice each day, at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m.

Another popular show is Bwana Jim’s Wildlife Show, for attendees who want to see some exotic animals beyond the dogs and cats, which takes place three times each day.

“The real meat of the show is the exhibitors,” Jenks says. Around 100 companies will be there to advertise and sell their products and services. Jenks says this is the area of the show that evolves most from year to year, as the vendors and what they offer tend to change. In years past, popular items for sale have included personalized items for pets, and pet photography services. Family portraits with the pets can be great for use in upcoming holidays cards. Among the exhibitors are some animal rescue leagues, talking about their missions and the pets they have available for adoption. However, no adoptable pets will be on site at the show.

“We try to promote responsible pet ownership,” Jenks says. But “you can go to the breeders’ kennels after the show,” he says.

Spectators are not allowed to bring personal pets because it can be an agitation agitation to the show animals. “I’d love to let people bring them in, but it can create some problems,” Jenks says. Anyone looking to get in some quality close-up time with a furry friend can visit the petting zoo and Circle K pony rides during the show.

Those looking to put more “home” in their house can also visit Jenks Productions’ 35th annual Home Show, also taking place at the Connecticut Convention Center this weekend. Tickets for the are separate from pet show admission. “We pack this thing every single year,” says Jenks.

THE PET SHOWtakes place Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd. in Hartford. Tickets are $10, $8 for seniors age 65 and up, and $5 for kids 12 and under. Infomation: 860-563-2111 and jenksproductions.com.

Growing concerns about the health of family pets, as well as a desire to treat them as equals, has seen a decrease in the volume of food bought for dogs and cats in the UK in 2013.

The UK’s love of their furry friends is a trend which has not abated even despite the recent recession, with 46% of household now owning a pet. The UK’s nine million dogs and eight million cats are the drivers of the UK pet food market, worth around $2Bn at its last estimate. Despite the historic association of cats and dogs with pre-packaged dry or wet food, however, a new trend is seemingly emerging in which pet owners are increasingly feeding their pets what they themselves would eat as humans.

With the volume in sales of dry and wet cat food still equal between the two markets, it could suggest that it is the dog food industry – whereby those who own a dog are less likely to buy wet food – which is really feeling the impact of this new way of animal eating. Around 25% of consumers would purchase an animal feed if it was high in protein, and around 13% admit to checking how much sodium their pet food contains; perhaps it is these growing concerns around pet health, along with an increasing pet obesity epidemic, causing a change in feline and canine consumption habits. Furthermore, 77% of vets say that they have noticed a marked increase in pet obesity; it is possible that this is down to previously poor eating habits and non-nutritional foods.

Pre-packaged dry food, although sometimes containing too high an amount of carbohydrate, is perhaps the preferred feeding option – especially for dogs – as the water content of wet food tends to mean more is needed to provide a substantial meal. Dry food is cheaper by weight, more nutritious and ‘complete’ (meaning it contains sufficient nutrients for a cat or dog to not need any supplements), does not require any specific storage and also has dental benefits due to its texture. However recent research indicates that many types of pet food, even dry, is high in salt, sugar, oils and fats; many also contained artificial colours despite most cats and dogs being colour blind.

With the questionable means behind pet food manufacture heralding a perceived increase in obesity and changed behavioural patterns amongst domestic pets, perhaps it is unsurprising that many owners have opted for the ‘humanisation’ of their dog or cat. Driven by the US and UK markets, feline and canine friends are increasingly being seen as family ‘equals’ who deserve what humans eat, leading not only to a drop in traditional pet food purchase but a rise in the development of pet ‘wellness’ products. There has even been a move towards ‘gluten-free’ and ‘raw food’ diets for pets, intending to mimic more closely what they may eat in the wild. However, there has also been an increasing volume of the sales of treats for pets and in the US the percentage of cat owners purchasing cat treats rose from 40% in 2007 to 50% in 2013.

Whilst sales of dog and cat food manufactured have not dropped significantly, the diverging trends surrounding treatment of household pets suggest the ‘humanisation’ phenomenon could have a sustainable, long-lasting impact on the pet food industry. An increased focus on ‘wellness’, however, may see new pet food competitors emerging.

MISSION, KS–(Marketwired – Oct 7, 2014) – (Family Features) As a cat owner, you do your best to take care of your pet. But there may be some things you don’t know about cats that could affect its health and happiness.

For example, a survey conducted by Wakefield Research on behalf of Purina ONE found that only 3 percent of respondents thought that playfulness is a sign of a healthy cat. Here are eight other cat facts that can help you keep your kitty thriving.

Cats require more protein than dogs. Dietary protein is digested and broken down into individual amino acids. While dogs require 10 essential amino acids, cats require the same 10 plus one more: taurine.

Cats need physical activity to maintain their muscle tone, alleviate stress and burn off excess energy. Yet 76 percent of cat owners say their cats spend less than half of their time being active. Consider taking your cat out for a walk on a leash — it keeps them active, gives them a chance to explore and is a great sensory experience.

Nearly half of cat owners (45 percent) think their cats may be overweight. Remember, an ideal body condition is important for your cat’s overall health. To determine this, you want to be able to feel its ribs with gentle pressure. If you can’t, it might be overeating. If you can see its ribs, it might be too skinny. Also, with the cat in a standing position, you want to see a waist behind its ribs when looking down at the back, and a minimal amount of abdominal fat when viewing from the side.

Cats enjoy a variety of tastes and textures, so wet and dry foods work well together. Dry kibble helps keep teeth clean. Wet food has a protein and moisture content that’s close to a wild cat’s natural diet.

Most cat owners (81 percent) know bright eyes are a key indicator of cat health. Another indicator? A shiny coat. And what you feed your cat can make a difference. Within three weeks of switching your cat to a food optimal in omega-6 fatty acids and essential vitamins and minerals, such as Purina ONE, you may notice brighter eyes and a shinier coat.

Cats like to have a clear view of their surroundings in order to detect the approach of rivals or predators, so keep your cat’s food dish out in the open or in a high spot to maximize sight lines.

Cats can experience “whisker stress,” an annoying sensation that’s caused when their whiskers rub up against the sides of the bowl. To prevent this, try feeding your cat from a flat dish, large enough to hold a day’s worth of food.

Most cat owners (98 percent) consider their cats happy, but it may be difficult to read a cat’s body language and non-verbal cues. When a cat’s tail is pointing upward, with tip slightly bent or pointing forward, they are in the friendly mood. But, if the tail is in a similar position but with raised hair, a cat could be angry.

To see the differences a healthy diet can make, try switching your cat’s food for just 28 days. Check out the Purina ONE 28 Day Challenge at www.purinaone.com/onesmartchange and receive a coupon to help you get started.

About Family Features Editorial SyndicateThis and other food and lifestyle content can be found at www.editors.familyfeatures.com. Family Features is a leading provider of free food and lifestyle content for use in print and online publications. Register with no obligation to access a variety of formatted and unformatted features, accompanying photos, and automatically updating Web content solutions.

According to a recent survey by the Humane Society of the United States, 62 percent of American households own at least one pet. Pet owners spend more than $50 billion per year on their pets. How can we save some money on our furry, feathered and scaled pet friends? Read on:

Dear Jill: One tip I’ve seen before is “Don’t buy dogs that have to be groomed.” More importantly, “Don’t buy dogs or any pets.” Adopt, adopt, adopt. — Lee

Dear Lee: This is a great tip — I think nearly everyone is aware of the pet overpopulation issues in our country. There are far more dogs and cats looking for homes than there are people willing to adopt them. I understand that some people are tied to wanting specific breeds of dogs or cats, but breed-specific rescue groups abound for everything from Jack Russell terriers to Labrador retrievers.

We recently adopted a new dog through a local rescue group. Our dear senior dog passed away after more than 13 years with our family. After grieving for a few months, we were ready to open our hearts to another dog. The Internet makes it easy to find a local animal shelter or rescue groups.

Many offer online profiles with photos of their adoptable pets. After connecting with a local group and deciding which dog we wanted to meet, the rescue group brought the dog to our house to meet our family. We were able to see how he interacted with us in our house and yard.

Well, we were all smitten with the German Shepherd mix with big brown eyes that curled up on the living room floor and seemed to be “home.” Less than a week later, we welcomed him home to stay.

Our first dog came from a local farmer whose dog had puppies, and I learned of the advantages to adopting from a dog rescue this time around. With our “farm boy,” we were responsible for all of the costs of vaccinating and neutering our dog. These expenses quickly added up to hundreds of dollars the first year — not including the $400 I paid the farmer for the dog.

When we adopted our new dog from the rescue, our $325 adoption fee included all of his necessary vaccinations and his neutering procedure. They took care of all of these procedures with a local veterinarian before the adoption was finalized.

Of course, sometimes you don’t choose a pet — they find you.

JILL CATALDO, a mother of three, never passes up a good deal. Write to her at www.super-couponing.com.

According to a recent survey by the Humane Society of the United States, 62 percent of American households own at least one pet. Pet owners spend more than $50 billion per year on their pets, too! Certainly, that’s a lot of money. How can we save more money on our furry, feathered and scaled pet friends?

“Dear Jill,

One tip I’ve seen before is ‘don’t buy dogs that have to be groomed.’ More importantly, ‘Don’t BUY dogs or any pets.’ Adopt, adopt, adopt.

Lee P.”

This is a great tip — I think nearly everyone is aware of the pet overpopulation issues in our country. There are far more dogs and cats looking for homes than there are people willing to adopt them. I understand that some people are tied to wanting specific breeds of dogs or cats, but breed-specific rescue groups abound for everything from Jack Russell terriers to Labrador Retrievers.

We recently adopted a new dog through a local rescue group. Our dear senior dog passed away after more than 13 years with our family. After grieving for a few months, we were ready to open our hearts to another dog. The Internet makes it easy to find a local animal shelter or rescue group in your area — many offer online profiles with photos of their adoptable pets. After connecting with a local group and deciding which dog we wanted to meet, the rescue group brought the dog to our house to meet our family. We were able to see how he interacted with us in our house and yard. Well, we were all smitten with the German Shepherd mix with big brown eyes that curled up in on the living room floor and seemed to be “home!” Less than a week later, we welcomed him home to stay.

Our first dog came from a local farmer whose dog had puppies, and I learned of the advantages to adopting from a dog rescue this time around. With our “farm boy,” we were responsible for all of the costs of vaccinating and neutering our dog. These expenses quickly added up to hundreds of dollars the first year — not including the $400 I paid the farmer for the dog. When we adopted our new dog from the rescue, our $325 adoption fee included all of his necessary vaccinations and his neutering procedure. They took care of all of these procedures with a local veterinarian before the adoption was finalized.

Another benefit? Adopting from a rescue group meant that our dog had lived with a foster family for a few weeks prior to coming home with us. We were able to get a sense of his personality and behavior by talking to the family. We don’t know much about his previous life, but he arrived at our door completely housebroken and knew some basic obedience commands. (That’s a plus you can’t put a price on!)

Of course, sometimes you don’t choose a pet — they find you. Last summer, a feral cat showed up in our yard and began living under our deck. She was afraid of people, but she also didn’t seem in a hurry to leave. After a few months, we realized she was likely here to stay.

I don’t mind having a cat around, but I also wasn’t keen on spending more than $300 to have a stray cat spayed. I called our local county’s extension office and learned about their feral cat catch-and-release program. For $35, they would trap, spay and return the cat to the property. This seemed like a small price to pay to ensure that we didn’t end up with more cats living in the backyard — especially when I was informed that female cats can have a litter of kittens every nine weeks.

I mention this as I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s had a pet “find” them unexpectedly. There may be discount spay/neuter programs you can take advantage of if you find yourself in a similar scenario.

Next week, I’ll share more pet-savings tips from readers.

Jill Cataldo, a coupon workshop instructor, writer and mother of three, never passes up a good deal. Learn more about Super-Couponing at her website, www.jillcataldo.com. Email your own couponing victories and questions to jill@ctwfeatures.com.

A heartbroken family is appealing for information after their beloved pet cats were poisoned.

Carol Fisher with Junior who survived after being poisoned

One of the two cats which was targeted died, prompting its owners – Carol and Andrew Fisher, from Dalston, near Carlisle – to urge anybody who can help identify the culprits to contact police.

The couple’s disabled son Ryan Ward, 20, who suffers from cerebral palsy, has been left particularly upset.

The first attack happened nearly a month ago when the family’s ginger tom cat Junior returned to the family’s home in Madam Banks Road showing signs of illness.

“Junior was drooling and hardly able to stand,” said Carol, 48, whose husband works as a welfare officer at Wetheral Animals’ Refuge.

“We took Junior to the vets and they did blood tests which showed he’d been poisoned. They said it was some kind of antifreeze.”

Though the signs were not good, staff at Eden Veterinary Practice put the cat on kidney dialysis and he recovered.

But a fortnight ago, the couple’s second cat Gordon – a five-year-old ginger tom – began showing signs that he too had been poisoned.

Carol said: “We found him lying at the back door. He was very floppy and he started to retch and have seizures.

“Andrew took him to the vets straight away and they again said they thought that it was poisoning.”

Sadly, despite the vets’ best efforts, the levels of poison taken in by Gordon were much higher and the vet said he would have to be put down. Carol added: “We feel gutted by what’s happened. We can’t understand why anybody would want to do this.

“We’ve also got two dogs – a Jack Russell called Lilly and Murphy, a border collie. Ryan loves the animals.

“He isn’t mobile but Ryan knows everything that’s going on and Gordon was such a big part of his life.

“We’re disgusted by what happened. It was heartless.

“If somebody doesn’t like a cat being in their garden they can put down stuff that keeps them away but is harmless.”

The family – Carol and Andrew, 50, who have six sons between them – have appealed for anybody who knows how the two cats were poisoned to contact the police.

A Cumbria police spokeswoman said: “Officers are investigating the poisoning of two cats belonging to the same owner. Vets have stated that both cats were poisoned.

“We are looking for witnesses or anybody with any information that could assist in identifying the offender who did this terrible crime.”

Rachel Reynolds, the vet who treated two cats at the Eden Veterinary Centre on Kingstown Road, Carlisle, said their symptoms pointed towards poisoning – and the possible substances involved included antifreeze.

She said: “We don’t know whether these poisonings were malicious or purely accidental. The big thing is to keep sheds and buildings locked tight so that animals can accidentally get inside. “